Family: Caryophyllaceae

Herbaceous perennial from a significant taproot sprawling about 3-4’ tall/wide, though often much smaller. Scarlet flowers July through October. Plants may behave differently depending on growing conditions and subspecies obtained. Plants in California are reported to go summer dormant, but this is a coastal subspecies.

Part sun, regular water, usually hardy to around -20°F—look for seed obtained from Arizona and east.

Hummingbirds are attracted to the flowers, as are many other pollinators. Larval food plant for the capsule moth (Hadena capsularis), the rufus quaker moth (Protorthodes rufula), and the hitched arches moth (Melanchra adjuncta). There are several other pretty Silene species worth growing, but perhaps not quite as showy as this species. Most grow from perennial taproots.

Silene comes from Greek sialon, saliva, which refers to the glandular secretions of the species, or it comes from the mythical Silenus, the intoxicated father of Baccus, god of wine, while laciniata means torn or deeply cut, referring to the fringed petals.

Found in dry oak, pine, and juniper woodlands from 5,500-10,000 ft. in California, Arizona, New Mexico (and a tad in surrounding states); south into Mexico.

Photo by Michael McNulty, SEINET
Silene lacinata on iNaturalist